Alexander Bublik lost to Jannik Sinner 6-1, 7-5, 6-0 in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. Afterward, Bublik joked on Instagram, “I almost got him guys.”
That became a running joke on the ATP Tour, as players would joke after getting blown out that they “almost” got their opponent.
Well, Bublik did not get blown out in his rematch with Sinner in round two of the Terra Wortmann Open on Thursday evening. Instead, he did get Sinner. The 28-year-old Kazakh upset the world No. 1 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, securing a quarterfinal spot at this ATP 500 tournament after two hours and two minutes.
Unsurprisingly, Bublik was back on Instagram immediately following his win.
“We are tennis players and we try to win every match we play, but it is a special one,” Bublik commented. “I had never beaten a No. 1 in the world. It is an accomplishment…. I kept serving; I tried to be clutch. I tried to get back whatever I [could]. He is an unbelievable player and I was not thinking that I could beat him. But I had a few chances and executed them well. I kept serving. I had better chances than at Roland Garros. I stayed there, tried to return as much and serve aces, so the ball doesn’t come back–and it worked really well.
“I had an amazing forehand to break in the third set and then I kept serving,” the world No. 45 assessed. “On grass, if you lose your serve it is maybe tough–and I am a guy who doesn’t lose a lot of serves. I just kept serving and putting him in uncomfortable positions.”
Bublik will face Tomas Machac in the quarterfinals on Friday. He has to win the Halle title in order to be seeded at Wimbledon.
nice one, Bubbles
I actually think Sinner will have a greater chance of winning Wimbledon with this early loss. Agreed right?
probably doesn’t hurt
He’ll regroup, and might even be stronger than before – ‘what doesnt kill you only makes you harder’
McEnroe had a devastating loss from two sets up RG final and went on to win Wimby and his best year ever
I thought the expression was, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, not harder, but anyway, time will tell, about how good Sinner will be at SW19
I believe it was a shortened version, for people more used to words no longer than four letters.
I see I did have the word stronger in the sentence, just didnt want to repeat myself. Nothing to do with the point I made
Sorry no offence was meant
None really taken.Just pointing out theres a few variations on the expression, might have been Del Boy who said the harder one.
Lol true love OFAH
Theres a few variants on it …one with PTSD..hope thats not Sinner